Ruto orders recruitment of police reservists to help restore peace in Kerio Valley

Deputy President William Ruto (left) and Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet at a security meeting with Marakwet residents in Tot, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, on October 27, 2016. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The DP, however, encountered a cold reception after Marakwets refused to have a joint meeting with the Pokot.

  • It took the intervention of Marakwet West MP William Kisang, who persuaded the them to allow the leaders from West Pokot and Baringo counties to join the meeting.

Deputy President William Ruto on Thursday ordered the recruitment of more police reservists to help restore peace to the troubled Kerio Valley in Elgeyo-Marakwet County.

The DP, who was accompanied by Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery and Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet, also ordered the relocation of police stations on the Elgeyo-Marakwet side of the boundary with West Pokot.

“We have decided to move all these policemen from their comfort zones and station them along the boundaries of River Kerio,” said Mr Ruto at the World Vision Centre in Tot Trading Centre, Elgeyo-Marakwet County.

The DP, however, encountered a cold reception after Marakwets refused to have a joint meeting with the Pokot. It took the intervention of Marakwet West MP William Kisang, who persuaded the them to allow the leaders from West Pokot and Baringo counties to join the meeting.

Prior to Mr Ruto’s arrival, the Marakwet had walked out on Rift Valley Regional Co-ordinator Wanyama Musiambo, three governors, Senator John Lonyangapuo and more than 10 MPs at the AIC Hall, where the DP was to address a peace meeting.

“We cannot have a meeting with the Pokot when one of our own is still in the mortuary,” said Mr Lawrence Mutwol. “Our culture does not even allow us to meet with the Pokot.”

The DP said some 280 police officers with armoured personnel carriers (APCs) were in Kerio Valley.

“I do not know how they have failed to contain the insecurity in the region, but we will try to explore other options,” said Mr Ruto.

ENDING CLASHES

The DP had just returned from Luanda, Angola, and headed straight to the war-torn region, where he expressed the government’s commitment to ending the clashes that have so far claimed at least 20 lives.

The clashes between communities from West Pokot and Elgeyo-Marakwet have ruined businesses and disrupted several socio-economic activities.

“As we leave this place now, we have given you 80 Kenya Police reservists; 40 will be based in Marakwet and 40 in the Pokot side,” said the DP. “We are enhancing police reforms to ensure they are capable of carrying out their mandate.

“I want to assure you that we are going out of our way to find out solutions that will give us lasting peace.”

Mr Nkaiserry warned of forcible disarmament if residents do not register their firearms. He asked them to delink politics from security.

Before the DP arrived, Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen, who was hosting several other leaders, was lectured by residents and told to forget any other meeting with the Pokot.